VE Day: Cenotaph service marks 70th anniversary of end of WW2 in Europe

A service has taken place at the Cenotaph in central London to formally mark the 70th anniversary of the VE Day celebrations.

The Duke of York was joined by newly re-elected prime minster David Cameron, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and the recently resigned Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg at the commemorative event in Whitehalll.

Military gather to lay a wreath during a tribute to begin three days of national commemorationsGetty

The Duke of York, representing the Queen, led the wreath-laying ceremony, which was followed by a two-minute silence at 3pm and a reading of Sir Winston Churchill's famous speech when he declared an end to Second World War in Europe on 8 May 1945.

The excerpt was read by the former prime minister's great-grandson, Randolph Churchill.

Later on 8 May, more than 200 beacons, known as the "flames of peace", will be lit in more than 100 locations across the UK. The first one will be lit by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the top of the Long Walk at Windsor Castle at 9.30pm.

Band of the Grenadier Guards perform during a tribute at the CenotaphGetty

The Houses of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square will also display V-shaped illuminations to commemorate when the iconic structures were lit after years of blackout in 1945.